AN: To be quite honest, not really sure where this is headed but hopefully you guys can help me with that. It's more gratuitous than anything. Characters will probably be a bit OOC. We'll see. I like Hermione with options. Fair warning, this will most likely head into mature themes as it goes on.
Disclaimer: Don't own a thing, both in reference to the world of JK Rowling and life in general. I'd be the worst person to rob/sue.
Chapter One
"You need to get out more," Ginny said casually, swirling the contents of her cocktail with a straw. "It's been near impossible to get you out of the house since the break-up."
"Well, I'm out right now," Hermione responded blandly, looking around the crowded bar with a frown. "Did it have to be on a weekend?"
"I tried making you come out during the week," Ginny reminded her. "You always used work as an excuse. This," she gestured vaguely to their surroundings. "Is all on you."
"Right," Hermione muttered, eyeing the people around her warily.
"Just try to relax and have some fun," Ginny smiled at her before motioning her hands to get the attention of the bartender. "You need a drink."
"I'm ok, really," Hermione protested, starting to miss her comfortable and worn-in couch.
"Not okay," Ginny replied quickly as the bartender approached them with a charming smile, taking no notice of the other patrons vying for his attention.
"What can I get for you ladies?"
"My friend here will have a shot of a hard liquor of your choice," Ginny flashed him a brilliant smile. "I'm sure you won't disappoint."
"Well, the thing is," the bartender winked at Ginny before leaning in towards Hermione. "If you're disappointed, then I'd have no choice but to give it to you on the house."
"Ah, then I feel like I must let you know that we are very hard to please," Ginny laughed, flipping her long red hair over her shoulder.
"I'm always up for a challenge," the bartender grinned, displaying his prominent dimples. "I'll be right back, ladies."
"Ginny," Hermione stared at her friend as the bartender walked away.
"Yes?"
"May I remind you of a certain someone? Disheveled dark hair, glasses, a very distinct lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead? Goes by the name of Harry Potter?"
"Hm," Ginny tapped her fingers against her head, frowning in concentration. "Vaguely familiar name… It does ring a bell."
"Ginny!"
"Oh, lighten up, Hermione," Ginny laughed. "It was just a little harmless flirting. Don't tell me you've never had the pleasure of participating in a little bit of light banter!"
"It's misleading," Hermione frowned. "Is Harry okay with that?"
"Well, he doesn't like it," Ginny shrugged. "But he does it, too, sometimes even right in front of me just to get a rise out of me."
"That sounds unhealthy," Hermione laughed, shaking her head.
"Angry sex is just as good as the make-up sex, you know," Ginny winked at her friend who blushed.
"Too much information," Hermione grimaced.
"It's honestly fine," Ginny smiled softly at the thought of her boyfriend. "Harry's the only one for me. He knows that."
"That's sweet," Hermione sighed, feeling a slight flare of jealousy. "I thought that it would be like that with Ron, you know. We grew up together, had feelings for one another…"
"He still loves you, you know," Ginny rubbed Hermione's shoulder. "Maybe not romantically but you're still one of his best friends."
"I know that," Hermione replied. "I don't love him like that either but I guess since everyone expected us to be together, I always thought it meant that it was… meant to be, in a way."
"So… You've only ever been with Ron…" Ginny seemed to talk to herself, as an understanding started to spread through her eyes.
"Ginny, I love you, but I don't think I want to discuss sex with Ron with you."
"Ugh, no," Ginny wrinkled her nose. "I just realized you've probably never had the chance to even flirt with other guys since you and my brother have been together since Hogwarts."
"Well, he had Lavender," Hermione reminded her.
"Yeah, about that," Ginny bit her lip, contemplating how to word her next sentence. "I thought you should know that the two have somewhat… rekindled their romance."
"Oh," Hermione's eyes opened in surprise, anticipating that flare of jealousy. Surprisingly, all she felt was a small twinge of annoyance.
"Are you alright?" Ginny asked, worried.
"Surprisingly fine," Hermione shrugged. "It's just… Lavender."
"Yeah," Ginny rolled her eyes. "Not my favorite person."
Hermione just gave Ginny a small smile as the bartender returned with a shot glass and a bottle of… tequila.
"Tequila?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at the bartender who just flashed her a grin.
"You seem like you could loosen up a bit," the bartender replied, pouring out a shot. "It's never failed me so far."
"Well, never had tequila before, so," Hermione reached for the shot, taking off the lime wedge from the edge of the shot glass. "How does this work?"
"Tequila then the lime," the bartender leaned over the counter, resting his arms on the surface. "It's always fun to watch someone try tequila for the first time."
"Don't you have other customers to help?"
"There are other bartenders," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Alright then," Hermione smiled weakly raising the glass to the bartender and Ginny before throwing it back as quickly as possible, trying not to let the taste of it hit her tongue.
It did.
"Ugh," Hermione's face scrunched up as she quickly bit down on the lime wedge. Hm, not bad.
"And the verdict, my lady?" The bartender grinned at her.
"Name's Hermione," Hermione replied, pushing the shot glass back to the bartender, grinning back. "And it was absolutely horrid."
"Ah, that just won't do, Hermione," the bartender sighed dramatically. "Let's try something else."
"Take your time, Mr. Bartender," Hermione replied.
"Andrew," the bartender smiled, pointing at himself.
"Andrew," Hermione smiled sweetly. "Try again."
"I'll be right back," Andrew saluted the two girls. "Don't move."
Hermione laughed as Ginny looked at her friend, a small knowing smile on her face as she rested her head on her hand.
"What?" Hermione rolled her eyes at the grin on Ginny's face.
"He's cute, isn't he?"
"He's okay," Hermione replied nonchalantly.
"Right," Ginny deadpanned. "You know, guys with great hair, cutting jawline, piercing eyes, and dimples are really so overrated."
"Are you sure you're not the one harboring a crush?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, shut it," Ginny scowled before quickly turning into a smile as Andrew approached them with a bottle of whiskey.
"That's more like it," Hermione grinned at him.
"Ah, so the lady approves?" Andrew grinned. "Glass or another shot?"
"Glass, please."
"On the rocks or neat?"
"Neat."
"Two fingers of whiskey enough?"
"Make it three."
"Well, I may just be in love with you."
Hermione laughed as Andrew poured the drink, winking at her as he did so.
"Thank you, Andrew," Hermione took the glass, grinning. "I see it's a good one."
"So can I assume you're satisfied?" Andrew asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"I am," Hermione replied after taking a sip. "I don't need to start a tab or anything so if you can just get me the check, I'll be sure to leave you a nice tip."
"Right, then," Ginny spoke up, leaning on the counter. "Open a tab for me, then, will you, Andrew? I was promised a night out and we've only been here for an hour."
"How much are you planning on drinking?" Hermione stared at Ginny incredulously as Andrew chuckled.
"Well, as much as my body will allow before turning against me!"
"This was going to be it for me," Hermione held up her glass.
"Nope," Ginny shook her head. "I don't mind paying for the drinks but that is not all you're drinking tonight."
"Ginny, my tolerance for alcohol has gone down considerably."
"We can fix that," Ginny replied, tapping on her now empty glass and Andrew nodded and winked before fixing her up another drink.
"It's not something I need fixed," Hermione rolled her eyes, casually sipping on her drink.
"How are you feeling, Hermione?" Ginny suddenly asked, turning to her.
"Fine," Hermione frowned at the abrupt question. "A bit hot, but otherwise, fine."
"Yes, about that," Ginny paused to thank Andrew for the drink as he handed it to her before turning to help other patrons. "Why the bloody hell are you wearing a sweater in the middle of summer?"
"It's a thin sweater," Hermione replied reproachfully. She looked down at her sweater, a light blue crew neck sweater. It was comfortable and she thought the sky-blue color was very summery.
"Are you wearing anything underneath that sweater?"
"Er, yes, a camisole," Hermione looked at Ginny suspiciously, her eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Hm, let's go to the loo for a quick second," Ginny hopped off the bar stool before downing her drink in gulps.
"Ginny!"
"Come on, you too," Ginny grinned, starting to feel the alcohol take effect.
"No," Hermione shook her head defiantly. "This is good whiskey."
"I'll get you another one later," Ginny pleaded. "Please? For me? The friend you refused to come out with for months?"
"Ugh," Hermione stared at Ginny's wide eyes, feeling her defenses crumbling. "Alright, fine, but you owe me!"
Hermione stared down at her drink, resisting the urge to apologize to it, and closed her eyes before finishing off her drink.
"Now what?" Hermione grimaced, putting the empty glass on the counter. "Why are we going to the loo? Why do I have to come with you?"
"Just come on," Ginny laughed, grabbing Hermione's hand, dragging her to the back of the bar.
"In you go," Ginny opened the door to the restroom before lightly nudging Hermione in, following in after her.
"Ginny," Hermione said questioningly, watching Ginny go through the stalls to make sure they were empty. "What are you doing?"
Ginny didn't reply, just whirling around on Hermione, snapping her fingers.
Hermione felt a sudden chill. She looked down to see that her sweater was gone, the only thing covering the top part of her body a thin and loose satin camisole. Without a bra. Because she stupidly thought she wouldn't need it.
"Ginny!" Hermione shrieked, swatting her friend on the arm. "Did you just vanish my sweater?!"
"Yeap," Ginny replied, looking smug.
"Ginny, for Merlin's sake," Hermione growled, covering herself with her arms. "You can cast an Evanesco nonverbally without a wand?!"
"Use it often enough," Ginny shrugged. "Need to go wardrobe shopping for Harry almost every other week."
"Too much information," Hermione glared at Ginny who just grinned back at her mischievously.
"Hm," Ginny looked Hermione up and down. "Dark green top with black jeans… it's a bit Slytherin but it works."
"I actually really liked that sweater," Hermione frowned, looking down at her outfit.
"I'm sure I can find you another one," Ginny replied before taking hold of Hermione's hands and leading her out of the restroom.
"It does feel a bit nicer," Hermione admitted to Ginny as they walked back to the bar. The flush of heat from the alcohol started to spread throughout her body and the soft breeze that the loose camisole allowed felt nice along with the touch of the satin hitting her skin.
"Of course it does, and you look amazing, by the way," Ginny smiled at her. They reached the bar and almost immediately, two men approached them, confident smiles in place.
"Hello, ladies," the taller of the two men spoke first, flashing them both a smile before motioning over a bartender. "Could we get two vodka cranberries for these lovely ladies? Don't be stingy with the vodka."
Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other quickly before turning their attention back to the strangers standing in front of them.
"Thank you, but we can manage—" Ginny started to say before a drink was pushed into her hands.
"Ah, but it would be impolite to refuse a free drink," the other man interrupted, smiling almost menacingly at her.
"Thank you for the drink," Hermione smiled insincerely at the tall man who handed her the drink. "We'll be sure to enjoy it but if you'll excuse us," she grabbed Ginny's hand and tried to maneuver her way around the men.
"Hold on," the tall man grabbed her wrist. "If we had the decency to buy you drinks, you should be decent enough to keep us company for a while."
"We didn't want these bloody drinks," Ginny glared at the man as Hermione pulled her wrist back.
"Here," Hermione shoved the drink back into the man's chest. "Have your bloody drink back and leave us the fuck alone."
"Dirty mouth, you got there," the tall man grinned, gripping the hand wrapped around the drink, forcefully pushed against his chest. "Best not get any drink on my shirt, love. It was quite expensive."
"It looks like some kind of polyester blend," a voice drawled from their right. "Hardly expensive. Or maybe it is for you?"
The group of four looked to the owner of the voice and Hermione resisted the urge to groan.
What the hell was Draco Malfoy doing at a muggle bar?